The film policy proposed by the Dunedin City Council is intended to help, not hinder the local film industry, according to John Bezett, the deputy chairman of the council committee considering the proposal.
Michael Stedman's criticism (ODT , July 14) against the proposed Dunedin City Council film policy is misguided. Student or low-budget films such as the recent Zombie production filmed around the city would not be charged fees to film on DCC property under the proposed new policy. Any funds collected from commercial film-makers would be used to help grow and support the industry in Dunedin.
Rather than stifle the local industry in any way, the policy is designed to help, not hinder the local film industry.
The proposed policy suggests charging commercial film-makers for use of council property and commits to the money collected being ploughed back into helping film grow in the city. Yes, this policy will gather revenue - but only from those commercial films that will have budgeted for this expense, and the revenue will only be used to support the industry. This is not a revenue-gathering exercise for its own sake.
The proposed policy is based on existing policies throughout the country, with specific reference made to those used in Queenstown and Wellington. The councillors have spent significant time ensuring that fledgling film-makers on low (or no) budgets will not be charged. We are suggesting, for instance, no fees be charged for. -
• Filming of private activities not for public distribution (e.g. filming a wedding celebration).
• Filming conducted purely for educational purposes and not to be used for commercial gain.
• Filming conducted by voluntary/non-profit/community organisations for charitable/non-commercial purposes (excluding organisations formed and operating solely for political purposes).
• Filming conducted as part of news reporting.
The proposed policy also allows council to exercise discretion to waive part or all of any location fee for any commercial filming where. -
• The public benefit from the filming activity exceeds any private benefit that would be derived;
• The charging of a location fee would be detrimental to the viability of the film (for example, for low-budget film productions).
Chairman of the Film Otago Southland industry group Dave Comer says that fees for filming on council property are an expected cost for commercial film-makers internationally.
"Filming budgets for TV ads or feature films always allow for such fees", he said, "and having a fee structure isn't a disincentive for these types of productions. Good locations and helpful proactive council contacts far outweigh any modest location fees payable to council, and collection of fees helps cover costs of administration".
Rather than having all funding to support the film industry paid for by ratepayers and at stake in the annual plan process each year, isn't it better to have this supplemented by film businesses which can afford it (and are accustomed to paying it elsewhere)? This offers the local film industry a dedicated DCC budget line of funding.
Despite what Mr Stedman says, the consultation process has strict legal requirements which the DCC takes seriously and this draft is far from "a fait accompli", as he suggests.
Film industry contacts have already been sent the proposed policy. They have almost unanimously voiced their support for the intention of the document and are offering constructive feedback about how we can refine it to maximise the benefit to the industry.
The draft policy and submission forms are available for public feedback at DCC Customer Service Centres and Libraries or at www.dunedin.govt.nz/consultation.
Submissions close on July 29. I encourage interested readers and Mr Stedman to submit, knowing that councillors will adopt the final policy only if we are convinced that it will help, not hinder our local film industry.
• John Bezett is deputy chairman (economic development) of the finance, strategy and development committee which has approved the draft film policy to be consulted on.
